7/17/23: Ukraine Bombs Crimean Bridge, DeSantis Sheds Staff, Winners and Losers GOP Fundraising, Tucker Carlson Rips Mike Pence, Hollywood Strike, Twitter Payments, California Woke Math, Hollywood Replaces Actors w/ AI, EV Prices Collapse w/ Doug DeMuro
Jul 17, 2023
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Doug DeMuro, a prominent car YouTuber and expert, joins the discussion to unveil insights on the shifting landscape of the used car market and the future of electric vehicles. He highlights the rising financing costs that consumers face when purchasing EVs, stressing the necessity for more affordable models. The podcast also critiques the Hollywood strike and the implications of AI replacing jobs in the creative industry, while politically, the hosts dissect the rocky terrain of GOP fundraising and campaign strategies in light of recent events.
Joe Biden's slow small-dollar online fundraising reflects a lack of grassroots support and enthusiasm among young voters.
There are whispers of a possible replacement candidate for Joe Biden's re-election campaign, raising concerns among Democrats.
The Hollywood strike highlights concerns about AI-driven technology replacing actors and writers, potentially commoditizing the entertainment industry.
Deep dives
Biden's Slow Small-Dollar Fundraising
Despite raising over $10 million in 36 hours from wealthy Democrats, Joe Biden's small-dollar online fundraising has been slow. Only 21% of funds raised came from small donors, compared to Barack Obama's 35% during his reelection campaign. This lack of grassroots support and enthusiasm among young voters is concerning for the Biden campaign. While money is not a problem for him, it reflects the overall lack of excitement for Biden, even among Democratic Party faithful.
Possible Concerns About Biden's Re-election Campaign
Some top Democrats and donors have raised concerns about Joe Biden's re-election campaign. There are whispers of a possible replacement candidate and doubts that Biden's heart is truly in it. The slow pace of his campaign has fueled anxiety among Democrats, with worries that time is running out and there is not enough robust activity. However, these concerns are likely wishful thinking, as Biden is the sitting president and has expressed his intention to run for re-election.
Biden's Strategy: Let Trump Hang Himself
The Biden campaign's strategy seems to be letting Trump hang himself, conserving cash, and staying out of the spotlight. They believe that the focus should be on Trump's actions rather than campaigning aggressively themselves. While this strategy may make sense in terms of taking advantage of Trump's negatives, some Democrats and fundraisers are concerned about the lack of campaign activity and enthusiasm.
Hollywood Strike: Actors and Writers Unite Against AI Threat
The Hollywood strike is the first of its kind since Ronald Reagan was head of the Screen Actors Guild. Actors and writers are protesting against AI-driven technology that could replace them in the industry. AI replicas created through scanning actors would eliminate the need for background actors, endangering their livelihoods. Writers fear that AI could be used to generate scripts, diminishing their role. This strike highlights the concern that automation and tech advancements could lead to the degradation and commoditization of the entertainment industry.
California's Education System Moves Towards Equity-based Math Curriculum
California is introducing a new math curriculum that aims to make math culturally relevant and accessible for all students, especially those who have been marginalized. The curriculum shifts away from individual standards and focuses on big ideas that drive instruction. However, critics argue that this approach moves towards subjective assessment and social justice discussions rather than objective metrics and learning. There are concerns that this equity-driven curriculum will dumb down standards, making higher-level math less accessible, and limiting opportunities for students.
Used Car Market Prices and the Impact of EVs
The used car market, which experienced skyrocketing prices due to supply chain issues and high demand, is now showing signs of slowing down. The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) has impacted the market, with Tesla leading to price reductions in used EVs. Factors such as supply catching up with demand, lower gas prices, and the availability of financing at higher interest rates have contributed to the stabilization of the used car market. However, the accessibility of EVs for the middle class and lower middle class remains a question due to factors such as charging infrastructure and pricing.
Krystal and Saagar discuss DeSantis campaign tanking, new GOP fundraising numbers, Tucker Carlson rips Mike Pence on Ukraine live at a Turning Point event, Biden struggles on 2024 fundraising, SAG joins WGA in historic Hollywood strike as Ron Pearlman attacks Bob Iger's comments on the strikers, Twitter begins payments for creators who post on the platform, Saagar looks into California doubling down on "Woke Math", Krystal looks into the Hollywood Strike and how executives have been using AI to replace workers on all levels, and we're joined by Car YouTube Expert Doug DeMuro to talk about Used Car Prices and the future of EV vehicles in America.
